Tent

ABSTRACT

A tent having a roof and eaves poles attachable to the roof at opposite margins thereof, and bows disposable on the ground between the roof margins for engaging and applying a spreading force to the eaves poles to tense the roof between them and to prop it.

United States Patent Feldman et a1.

[451 July 29, 1975 TENT Inventors: Benjamin L. Feldman, 35 Canyon Ave.N0. 201. Downsview; Frederick M. Gaby. 100 Rosedale Height Dr., Toronto,Ontario, both of Canada [22] Filed: Oct. 4, 1973 [211 App]. No.: 403,570

[52] U.S. Cl 135/3 R; 135/15 P0 [51] Int. Cl. A45f H16. [58] Field ofSearch 135/1 R, 3 R, 7.1 R, 15 PO [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,029,886 2/1936 Marshall 135/7.1 R 2.488.809 11/1949 Dcnn 135/3R 2,649,102 8/1953 McDonough.... 135/15 PQ 2,960,993 11/1960 Holmstroml35/7.l R X 3,454,021 7/1969 Morris 135/1 R FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 541,372 3/1956 ltaly i 135/3 R 193,101 12/1964 Sweden 135/3R Primary ExaminerPau1 R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerDavid H. Corbin [57]ABSTRACT A tent having a roof and eaves poles attachable to the roof atopposite margins thereof, and bows disposable on the ground between theroof margins for engaging and applying a spreading force to the eavespoles to tense the roof between them and to prop it.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TENT The invention relates broadly toimprovements in tents and, particularly, in the framing which supportsthe tent roof which, in turn, provides suspension for the tent walls.

The invention is principally concerned with the type of tent whose roofrequires to be tensed whether to shape it or maintain it in position orboth.

Various devices were resorted to in the past for imparting the requisitetension to the tent roof. Traditionally, guy ropes were used for thispurpose and, more recently, the necessary tension was communicated tothe tent roof by downward pull through the tent walls which wereattached thereto.

In virtually every instance, the effectiveness of the tension dependedon good ground anchorage for guy ropes, tent pegs and so forth which, ofcourse, was not always possible or available.

Having regard to the foregoing, the invention seeks, as one of its mainobjects, to provide a tent of the character described wherein therequisite tension is applied to the tent roof by the tent framing itselfthereby eliminating the necessity for reliance on ground anchorage forthis purpose; the roof being also supported at a suitable height by thesame framing.

In this submission, the edges or margins of the tent roof are sometimesreferred to as its caves and the framing visualized includes eaves polesto which the tent roof is attachable at its said eaves.

Thus, a further important object of the invention is to provide a tentas aforesaid whose framing includes the eaves poles aforesaid atopposite margins of the tent roof and braces for engaging the eavespoles not only to apply the required tension to the roof but also tohold it up.

Still further objects are: to provide a tent as aforesaid with framingwhich is capable of being virtually wholly contained within the tent; toprovide a tent comprised of framing and a fabric enclosure including afloor which is secured as by sewing, for example, to the tent walls; toprovide a tent including a fabric enclosure with a floor as describedwithin which the framing aforesaid is virtually completely containablenot only to support and tense the tent roof but also to hold down thetent floor.

The stated and other objects of the invention are achieved by theprovision of braces in the form of bowlike devices for propping theeaves poles.

That is to say, the respective ends of each bow extend upwardly anddivergently from its intermediate portion hereinafter sometimes referredto as a sill. Dimensionally, each present bow is proportioned so that,with its sill resting on the ground, its ends will reach to and engagethe respective eaves poles of the tent roof not only to hold them andthe tent roof up to the required height but also to apply a spreadingforce to them whereby to tense the tent roof to which they are attached.

Otherwise described, assuming a bow joining the ends of the eaves polesat each end of the tent, this assembly of bows and eaves poles forms anintegral and stable armature which is capable of holding up and tensingthe tent roof;

Of course, walls may also be provided and, in the usual fashion, may besuspended from the eaves or margins of the tent roof. Also, as iscustomary, the tent walls may be pegged to the ground to hold them downand keep them from flapping. It must be observed, however, that thepresent construction does not rely on the tent walls to tense or tautenthe tent roof and it is further noteworthy that the present constructionis not limited to a flat, peaked or pitched tent roof but may beeffectively adapted for use with a roof of virtually any other standardform.

Objects of the invention other than those herein stated and of more orless breadth will become apparent from the hereinafter followingdescription of the elements, partsand principles constituting theinvention given herein by way of example only with reference to theselected embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein likeparts of the invention are identified by like reference devices andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the tent according tothe present invention with a transparent enclosure-formed of transparentfabric;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a framing member fittedwith a locking device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a terminal portion of abow engaged with an eaves pole;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bottom corner of the tent staked tothe ground;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the tent,but with the same type of bow and fabric employed in the tent of FIG. 1,and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a post extending upwardly from the sillto support a ridge pole.

For the sakes of clarity and simplicity, it is deemed desirable todiscuss the present inventive concept in relation to the tent Tillustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing which will be seen to be comprisedof roof R having tunnels at opposite margins 2-2 through which eavespoles 4-4 are respectively threaded as best shown in FIG. 3; the partsbeing proportioned so that the ends 66 of each eaves pole 4 will projectfrom the respective ends of the tunneled margins 22 and so that thecorresponding ends of eaves poles 4-4 are conterminous at opposite sidesof the tent.

For orientation purposes the tunneled margins 2-2 through which theeaves poles 4-4 are threaded will herein be regarded as being disposedat the sides of roof R in other words, at the sides of the tent T.

Each pair of conterminous eaves pole ends 6-6 are joined together in thepresent example by a bow B substantially as shown in FIGS 1 and 5. Aswill be apparent, each said bow B is a U-form whose intermediate portionor bight serves as a sill 10 which, in turn, functions as the foot ofthe bow B i.e., the ground engaging element on which it stands.Preferably, of course, the sill 10 is rectilinear and elongated.

As will be observed, the length of the sill l0 i.e., the intermediate,rectilinear portion of the bow B is significantly less than the width ofthe tent T between its eaves poles 44; the respective terminal portionsof the bow B, herein referred to as props 12-12, extending divergentlyupwardly from the respective ends of sill 10, to engage the eaves poles4-4. That is to say, each said prop l2 terminates in a dowel 14 (shownin full and dotted lines in FIGS. 4 and 3, respectively) insertable in ahole 16 provided in said eaves pole 4. Thus, in the tent construction ofFIG. 1 for example, the sill 10 of each bow B rests on the groundbetween the eaves poles 4-4 while its props 12-12 extend divergentlyupwardly to engage the eaves poles 4-4 and apply a spreading forcethereto whereby to tense the attached tent roof R.

The tent walls W are secured to the tent roof R and depend therefrom tothe ground in more or less conventional manner; these walls W comprisingsidewalls 18-18 which are attached to the tent roof R at its margins2-2. In addition, there are provided walls 20-20 at the tent ends andthe bottom edges of the enumerated walls 18-l8 and 20-20 are joined to aground sheet G. of appropriate dimension which is preferablyimperforate, i.e. free of holes or openings; the joining being effectedby peripheral seaming 22 at the tent sides and ends as best illustratedin FIG. 4.

Loops 24 (FIG. 4) may also be secured by said seaming 22 to extendoutwardly from the tent T; said loops 24 accomodating tent pegs P whichare driven therethrough into the ground to secure the ground-sheet G(being the tent floor), in outspread condition and, as well, to holddown the tent walls, particularly the sidewalls 18-18.

That is to say, when the tent T is equipped with walls W and aground-sheet G as described, bows B may be erected inside the resultingenclosure whereby the sill of each bow B will effectively pin theground-sheet G to the ground on which it stands. Thus, in the example ofFIG. 1, a bow B is disposed at each endwall of the tent T with its props12-12 engaging the conterminous ends 66 of eaves poles 4-4 and with itssill l0 resting on ground-sheet G adjacent but inside of the frontendwall 20.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 1, the tent T is provided with a peakedroof having a central ridge pole 26 disposed between and parallel to theeaves poles 4-4; the ridge pole 26 being supported at each end 28 by apost 30 extending upwardly from the sill 10 in a manner which will beobvious. Preferably, the bottom of each said post 30 is provided with aconcave terminal portion 32 adaptable to mate with the convexity in thisinstance, of said sill 10 as best shown in FIG. 6; said sill 10including a slight indentation 34 for positioning said post 30 thereon.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 5 tent T has a pitched roof R one of theprops 12-12 of each bow B being, accordingly longer than the other toaccomodate its slope.

As is well-known, many tent fabrics may tend to stretch or shrinkaccording to the weather and it is desirable accordingly, that the tentframing be made adjustable to accomodate such stretching or shrinking.To this end, the respective members of the framing, e.g.: the eavespoles 4-4, the props 12, posts 30, sills 10, and any further membersincorporated therein may be rendered telescopic as suggested by FIG. 2to permit extension or retraction thereof as needed to cope with thestretching or shrinking of the fabric. Preferably, each such member isfitted with a locking device such as shown at 36 in FIG. 2 which iscapable of being released to permit telescoping of the member or lockedto prevent such telescoping.

spreading force to said eaves poles whereby to tense the tent roof towhich they are attached.

The present construction also makes available a tent which may berapidly set up and demounted as well as one whose frame members can beadjusted as necessary from inside the tent whether in the setting up ofthe tent or to cope with the'effects of weather.

Furthermore, the described tent construction also permits realization ofthe foregoing advantages in combination with an imperforate ground-sheetfor excluding vermin and dampness.

In addition, it will be understood that the tent construction may beprovided with the necessary openings in the tent roof and/or wallseither for ventilation purposes or simply to gain access into the tent.For example, the tent may be provided with a closure in an endwall asrepresented by the door flap 38 in FIG. 1.

Finally, it is particularly noteworthy that, in the area of complexityand cost, there is nothing in the present tent construction whichentails or necessitates costly manufacturing procedures.

What we claim is:

1. A tent comprising:

a roof and framing for supporting said roof at an elevation and forapplying tension thereto to maintain it in outstretched condition; saidframing including:

eaves poles attachable to said roof at opposite margins thereof, saidroof including tunnels extending along opposite margins thereof intowhich said eaves poles are removably insertable to attach them to saidroof as aforesaid, said eaves poles having ends which are exposed at thecorresponding ends of said roof margins when said eaves poles areinserted in said tunnels, and said framing also including bowsdisposable on the ground between said margins for engaging and applyinga spreading force to the eaves poles to tense the roof between them andto prop it at an elevation, each said bow being installable andremovable independently of the other bow and including an elongated sillpositionable on the ground and a prop interconnectible between said silland an exposed end of each said eaves pole; the props and eaves poleshaving means for readily engaging and disengaging each eaves pole withand from the upper ends of the respective props, the props being infixed angular relationship with said sill and diverging therefromtowards said eaves poles to apply spreading and propping forces theretoas aforesaid, each sill having opposite end portions from which therespective props are integral extensions, and each bow having means formanually adjusting its length to a selected fixed length for manualadjustment of said spreading and propping forces.

2. A tent as defined in claim 1 wherein said framing further includes; I

a ridge pole for said roof, and

posts between said ridge pole and the sills of the bows for supportingsaid ridge pole. i

3. A tent as defined in claim 2 wherein:

I each said post is engaged with the sill and with the ridge pole.

4. A tent as defined in claim 1 including:

walls depending from the margins of said roof, and

a groundsheet interconnecting the bottom edges of the walls andunderlying said bows and being held down thereby.

means for anchoring the bottom edges of said walls to the ground.

9. A tent as defined in claim 6 wherein:

the bows are located internally of said tent, and further including;

means for anchoring the bottom edges of said walls to the ground.

1. A tent comprising: a roof and framing for supporting said roof at anelevation and for applying tension thereto to maintain it inoutstretched condition; said framing including: eaves poles attachableto said roof at opposite margins thereof, said roof including tunnelsextending along opposite margins thereof into which said eaves poles areremovably insertable to attach them to said roof as aforesaid, saideaves poles having ends which are exposed at the corresponding ends ofsaid roof margins when said eaves poles are inserted in said tunnels,and said framing also including bows disposable on the ground betweensaid margins for engaging and applying a spreading force to the eavespoles to tense the roof between them and to prop it at an elevation,each said bow being installable and removable independently of the otherbow and including an elongated sill positionable on the ground and aprop interconnectible between said sill and an exposed end of each saideaves pole; the props and eaves poles having means for readily engagingand disengaging each eaves pole with and from the upper ends of therespective props, the props being in fixed angular relationship withsaid sill and diverging therefrom towards said eaves poles to applyspreading and propping forces thereto as aforesaid, each sill havingopposite end portions from which the respective props are integralextensions, and each bow having means for manually adjusting its lengthto a selected fixed length for manual adjustment of said spreading andpropping forces.
 2. A tent as defined in claim 1 wherein said framingfurther includes; a ridge pole for said roof, and posts between saidridge pole and the sills of the bows for supporting said ridge pole. 3.A tent as defined in claim 2 wherein: each said post is engaged with thesill and with the ridge pole.
 4. A tent as defined in claim 1 including:walls depending from the margins of said roof, and a ground-sheetinterconnecting the bottom edges of the walls and underlying said bowsand being held down thereby.
 5. A tent as defined in claim 2 wherein:some, at least, of the elements of said framing are longitudinallyadjustable.
 6. A tent as defined in claim 4 wherein: some, at least, ofthe elements of said framing are longitudinally adjustable.
 7. A tent asdefined in claim 4 wherein: the bows are located internally of saidtent.
 8. A tent as defined in claim 4 including: means for anchoring thebottom edges of said walls to the ground.
 9. A tent as defined in claim6 wherein: the bows are located internally of said tent, and furtherincluding; means for anchoring the bottom edges of said walls to theground.